Observations and provocations from The Times' Opinion staff

Fiorina on Kagan: She's not an insider

August 4, 2010 | 2:46
pm

Carly Fiorina isn't a U.S. senator, but she played one in announcing that she wouldn't vote to confirm Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court. It's admirable that she went on the record, but her explanation of her opposition is, well, paradoxical.

Is Kagan too liberal, as some of Fiorina's fellow Republicans allege? Don't ask Fiorina. The reason for her opposition is ... Kagan was never a judge.

Here's the quote:

“The confirmation process revealed that she has many admirable qualities – an ability to solve problems, an energetic mind and an enthusiasm for her colleagues and her work – all of which qualify her to serve as solicitor general, the dean of a law school or even as a legislator. However, the process also underscored her lack of experience as a jurist, which in my mind is a key element in determining whether or not a nominee is qualified to serve as a member of the Supreme Court."

In other words, Kagan is an outsider -- but wait, Carly, isn't that supposed to be a good thing?